Battery

Abstract

A battery (20) has a case (40) that accommodates a battery cell (32). The case (40) comprises a first compartment (44a), a third compartment (45), and a second compartment (44b) that are aligned in a first direction and an opening part (48) that exposes the third compartment (45) to the outside. The battery (20) includes a sensor (61) that acquires information about the battery cell (32), a sensor line (62) that is connected at one end to the sensor (61) and at another end to an output unit (63), and a component (25) that has an input unit (26) into which a signal acquired at the sensor (61) is inputted. The output unit (63) and the input unit (26) are exposed to the inside of the opening part (48).

Description

Battery

[0001] The present invention relates to batteries.

[0002] In recent years, research and development has been conducted on batteries (secondary batteries) that contribute to energy efficiency in order to ensure that more people have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and advanced energy.

[0003] For example, the supply unit for an electric motorcycle disclosed in Patent Document 1 has left and right batteries in contact with a central cooling plate, and cooling half-shells that cover each of the left and right batteries from the sides, with the batteries and control electronic components housed in the space defined between the cooling half-shells and the cooling plate. The control electronic components are located on the sides of each battery.

[0004] Patent No. 6617972

[0005] In battery technology, improving the ease of wiring is an issue. For example, in the invention of Patent Document 1, when signals (voltage, temperature) acquired from the left and right batteries are input to a single control electronic component, it is required to improve the ease of wiring the wires that conduct the signals.

[0006] The present invention aims to achieve an improvement in the ease of wiring work in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. A battery (20) of aspect 1 is a battery (20) having a case (40) that houses battery cells (32) therein, the case (40) having a first chamber (44a) and a second chamber (44b) that are aligned in a first direction and that house the battery cells (32), a third chamber (45) that forms a space between the first chamber (44a) and the second chamber (44b), and an opening (48) that exposes the third chamber (45) to the outside of the battery (20), and b) and the battery cell (32) are arranged inside the battery pack (25), and the battery pack (25) includes a sensor (61) for acquiring information about the battery cell (32), a sensor wire (62) connected at one end to the sensor (61) and at the other end to an output unit (63), a component (25) having an input unit (26) for inputting a signal acquired by the sensor (61), and wiring (71) connected at one end to the output unit (63) and at the other end to the input unit (26), the output unit (63) and the input unit (26) being exposed inside the opening (48). With this configuration, the output unit and the input unit are exposed inside the opening, improving the workability of wiring.

[0008] The battery (20) of aspect 2 is the battery (20) of aspect 1, further comprising a first wall (43a) that separates the first chamber (44a) and the third chamber (45) in the first direction, and a second wall (43b) that separates the second chamber (44b) and the third chamber (45) in the first direction, and the output portion (63) is disposed closer to the opening (48) than upper ends of the first wall (43a) and the second wall (43b). With this configuration, wiring can be routed on the opening side, improving the workability of connecting the wiring to the output portion.

[0009] A battery (20) of aspect 3 is the battery (20) of aspect 2, wherein the case (40) is made up of a first case (40a) and a second case (40b) adjacent to each other, the first case (40a) has the first chamber (44a), a first opening (45a) that opens to the second case (40b), the first wall portion (43a) that separates the first chamber (44a) from a space on the side of the first opening (45a), and a first surface (42a) that is oriented in a cross direction that crosses the direction in which the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) are adjacent to each other, and the second case (40b) has a first wall portion (43a) that separates the first chamber (44a) from a space on the side of the first opening (45a), and a first surface (42a) that is oriented in a cross direction that crosses the direction in which the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) are adjacent to each other. The battery pack has a second opening (45b) that opens to the first case (40a), a second wall portion (43b) that separates the second chamber (44b) from a space on the second opening (45b) side, and a second surface (42b) that faces the intersecting direction, and when the first opening (45a) and the second opening (45b) are joined, the third chamber (45) is separated by the first wall portion (43a), the second wall portion (43b), the first surface (42a), and the second surface (42b), and the sensor wire (62) and the output portion (63) are provided in the first case (40a) and the second case (40b), respectively. With this configuration, the case, battery cell, sensor wire, and output portion can be assembled in a state where the first case side and the second case side are separated, improving the workability of connecting the sensor wire and wiring.

[0010] The battery (20) of aspect 4 is the battery (20) of aspect 1, which has a cell holder (34c) that covers the periphery of the battery cell (32), and the output part (63) is fixed to a fixing part (34t) on the end face of the cell holder (34c) facing the opening (48). With this configuration, no separate part is required to fix the output part, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0011] In the battery (20) of aspect 5, the output portion (63) and the component (25) of the battery (20) of aspect 1 overlap in the opening direction of the opening (48). With this configuration, the output portion and the component can be compactly arranged in a direction intersecting the opening direction.

[0012] The present invention contributes to improving the workability of wiring connections.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a left side view of a vehicle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery in an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a cell module. FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the rear of the battery. FIG. 6 is a first plan view of the rear of the battery. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the rear of the battery. FIG. 8 is a second plan view of the rear of the battery.

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions such as front, rear, up, down, left, and right in the following description are the same as directions in a vehicle described below. In the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating the front of the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating the left of the vehicle, and an arrow UP indicating the top of the vehicle are shown at appropriate locations. A side closer to the center of the left-right direction (first direction) of the vehicle may be referred to as the inside in the left-right direction, and a side farther away from the center of the left-right direction of the vehicle may be referred to as the outside in the left-right direction. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," and "coaxial," not only mean the exact arrangement, but also include a state in which the two are relatively displaced by a tolerance or an angle or distance that provides the same function.

[0015] 1 is a left side view of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is a scooter-type electric two-wheeled vehicle having a floor portion 14 (low-floor portion) on which a rider (driver) places his / her feet. The vehicle 1 includes a front wheel 2, a rear wheel 3, a body frame 5, a body cover 6, a swing unit 8, a battery 20, a seat 15, and a control device 9.

[0016] The front wheel 2 is supported by a front fork 4. The front wheel 2 can be steered by a handlebar 18. The rear wheel 3 is supported by the rear end of a swing unit 8. The rear wheel 3 can be driven by an electric motor 7 provided in the swing unit 8. The front end of the swing unit 8 is connected to the body frame 5.

[0017] The handlebars 18, the front forks 4, and the front wheel 2 constitute steering system components. The steering system components are steerably supported at the front end of the body frame 5. The swing unit 8 and the rear wheel 3 are supported at the bottom of the body frame 5 so as to be able to swing up and down. The body frame 5 is surrounded by a body cover 6.

[0018] The vehicle 1 includes a floor portion 14 that forms a footrest surface on which a driver seated in a seat 15 places his or her feet, a front body FB that is connected to the front of the floor portion 14, and a rear body RB that is connected to the rear of the floor portion 14. A straddling space K is formed above the floor portion 14 to make it easier for an occupant to straddle the vehicle body.

[0019] A seat 15 for a passenger to sit on is supported on the rear body RB. The lower front end of the seat 15 is connected to the vehicle body via a hinge shaft 16 that extends along the vehicle width direction (left-right direction). The seat 15 rotates up and down around the hinge shaft 16 to open and close the upper part of the rear body RB.

[0020] The body frame 5 is formed by joining multiple types of steel together by welding or the like. The body frame 5 includes a head pipe 10 located at the front end, a pair of left and right down frames 11 that branch off to the left and right from the head pipe 10, extend downward, and then extend rearward, and a pair of left and right rear frames 12 that extend upward and rearward from the rear portions of the left and right down frames 11. A battery 20 is disposed in an underfloor space surrounded by the lower portions of the left and right down frames 11 and the front portions of the left and right rear frames 12.

[0021] The control device 9 includes a PCU (Power Control Unit) that controls the electric motor 7. The PCU includes a PDU (Power Drive Unit) that is a motor driver, an ECU (Electric Control Unit) that controls the PDU, and the like. A cable 92 extending from the positive and negative terminals of the battery 20 is connected to the PDU. A cable 99 extending from the PDU is connected to the electric motor 7. The PDU includes, for example, an inverter. The inverter converts the current supplied from the battery 20 from direct current to alternating current, and then supplies the power to the electric motor 7.

[0022] <Battery> The battery 20 of the embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery 20 of the embodiment. The battery 20 is L-shaped in a side view. The battery 20 has an elongated portion 21 and an upright portion 22. The elongated portion 21 extends in the front-rear direction. The upright portion 22 stands upright from the rear of the elongated portion 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the elongated portion 21 is disposed below the floor portion 14. The upright portion 22 is disposed below the seat 15.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the battery 20 is covered by a case 40. The case 40 has a first case 40a and a second case 40b adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The case 40 has a plurality of mounting portions 40f. The plurality of mounting portions 40f are used to mount the battery 20 to the body frame 5. The case 40 has an opening 48 above the upright portion 22. The opening 48 is covered by the lid portion 24.

[0024] The battery 20 is formed by combining a first partial assembly 20a on the left side and a second partial assembly 20b on the right side. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the battery 20. The protrusions and the multiple mounting portions 40f on the top surface of the lid 24 are not shown in FIG. 3. A negative terminal 56a and a positive terminal 56b are provided in front of the upright portion 22 of the battery 20. The negative terminal 56a is provided on the first partial assembly 20a, and the positive terminal 56b is provided on the second partial assembly 20b. As shown in FIG. 2, a charging terminal 57 and a low-voltage signal terminal 58 are provided in the rear of the upright portion 22 of the battery 20. The charging terminal 57 is provided on the second partial assembly 20b. The low-voltage signal terminal 58 is provided on the first partial assembly 20a.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the first partial assembly 20a includes a cell module 30, a first case 40a, and a first power distribution section 51a. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cell module 30. The protrusions and multiple mounting sections 40f on the top surface of the lid section 24 shown in Fig. 2 are omitted from Fig. 4. The cell module 30 includes battery cells 32, cell holders 34c and 34d, bus bars 35c and 35d, insulating sheets 36c and 36d, and a sensor unit 60.

[0026] The battery cells 32 are rechargeable secondary batteries. Each battery cell 32 has a generally cylindrical shape. The central axis of each battery cell 32 is arranged parallel to the left-right direction. Each battery cell 32 has a positive terminal at one end in the left-right direction and a negative terminal at the other end. A plurality of battery cells 32 are arranged side by side in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0027] The cell holders 34c, 34d are formed into a flat plate shape using a resin material or the like. The cell holders 34c, 34d include an inner cell holder 34c and an outer cell holder 34d. The inner cell holder 34c is positioned inside the battery cell 32 in the left-right direction. The outer cell holder 34d is positioned outside the battery cell 32 in the left-right direction. The inner cell holder 34c has a protrusion (not shown) on its periphery (end surface) that extends toward the outer cell holder 34d. The outer cell holder 34d has an insertion portion (not shown) on its periphery (end surface) into which the protrusion of the inner cell holder 34c is inserted. The relative positions of the inner cell holder 34c and the outer cell holder 34d are determined by inserting the protrusion into the insertion portion. The cell holders 34c, 34d have multiple through holes that penetrate the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left-right direction. The left and right ends of the battery cells 32 are inserted into the through-holes. The cell holders 34c, 34d cover the periphery of the battery cells 32. The cell holders 34c, 34d support the battery cells 32. Second through-holes (not shown) that penetrate the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left and right direction are formed around (on the end faces of) the inner cell holder 34c and the outer cell holder 34d. Fastening members (bolts, etc., not shown) are inserted into the second through-holes and screwed into fixing portions (not shown) provided on the first wall portion 43a or the second wall portion 43b, thereby fixing the cell module 30 to the first case 40a and the second case 40b, respectively.

[0028] The bus bars 35c, 35d are formed into thin plates from a metal material. The bus bars 35c, 35d include an inner bus bar 35c and an outer bus bar 35d. The inner bus bar 35c is arranged inside the inner cell holder 34c in the left-right direction. The outer bus bar 35d is arranged outside the outer cell holder 34d in the left-right direction. The bus bars 35c, 35d contact the positive or negative terminals of the multiple battery cells 32. The bus bars 35c, 35d electrically connect the multiple battery cells 32.

[0029] The insulating sheets 36c, 36d are formed in a sheet shape using a resin material or the like. The insulating sheets 36c, 36d include an inner insulating sheet 36c and an outer insulating sheet 36d. The inner insulating sheet 36c is arranged inside the inner cell holder 34c and the inner bus bar 35c in the left-right direction. The outer insulating sheet 36d is arranged outside the outer cell holder 34d and the outer bus bar 35d in the left-right direction. The insulating sheets 36c, 36d electrically insulate the bus bars 35c, 35d from the case 40.

[0030] The sensor unit 60 has a sensor 61, a sensor wire 62, and an output section 63. The sensor 61 acquires information about the battery cells 32. The information about the battery cells 32 includes voltage and temperature. Multiple sensors 61 are attached to corresponding battery cells 32. The sensor wire 62 connects the sensor 61 to the output section 63. The multiple sensor wires 62 extend from the corresponding sensors 61 to the common output section 63. The sensor wires 62 are attached mainly to the upper surfaces of the cell holders 34c and 34d (see FIG. 3).

[0031] The output part 63 is one side of a connector (a socket or a plug). As shown in FIG. 3, the output part 63 is fixed to the upper surface of the inner cell holder 34c. The output part 63 is arranged facing inward in the left-right direction. The output part 63 is connected to a sensor connection part 73 of the harness unit 70. The sensor connection part 73 is the other side of the connector (a plug or a socket).

[0032] The first case 40a is formed from a metal material such as aluminum. The first case 40a includes a case main body 41 and a cover 47. The case main body 41 has a peripheral wall that covers the front-rear and up-down directions. The peripheral wall is oriented in the front-rear and up-down directions, which intersect the left-right direction. The case main body 41 has an inner opening that opens to the inside in the left-right direction and an outer opening that opens to the outside in the left-right direction. The case main body 41 has a wall portion inside the peripheral wall, midway in the left-right direction. The wall portion is perpendicular to the left-right direction. The wall portion separates the inner opening and the outer opening in the left-right direction. The peripheral wall of the first case 40a is the first surface 42a. The inner opening of the first case 40a is the first opening 45a. The first opening 45a opens to the second case 40b. The wall portion of the first case 40a is the first wall portion 43a.

[0033] The cover 47 is disposed on the outside of the case body 41 in the left-right direction. The cover 47 covers the outer opening of the case body 41. The cover 47 has side walls that are perpendicular to the left-right direction. The side walls of the first case 40a are the first side walls 46a. The space surrounded by the first wall portion 43a, the first side walls 46a, and the first surface 42a is the first chamber 44a. The cell module 30 is housed inside the first chamber 44a.

[0034] The first power distribution unit 51a is a circuit board on which electronic components such as relays and fuses are mounted. The first power distribution unit 51a is fixed to the inside of the first wall portion 43a of the first case 40a in the left-right direction. One end of the first power distribution unit 51a is connected to the cell module 30 housed in the first chamber 44a. The other end of the first power distribution unit 51a is connected to a negative terminal 56a installed in the first case 40a.

[0035] The second partial assembly 20b includes a cell module 30, a second case 40b, and a second power distribution section 51b. The second partial assembly 20b is formed in the same manner as the first partial assembly 20a.

[0036] The peripheral wall of the second case 40b is the second surface 42b. The inner opening of the second case 40b is the second opening 45b. The second opening 45b opens to the first case 40a side. The wall of the second case 40b is the second wall portion 43b. The side wall of the second case 40b is the second side wall 46b. The space surrounded by the second wall portion 43b, the second side wall 46b, and the second surface 42b is the second chamber 44b. The cell module 30 is housed inside the second chamber 44b.

[0037] The second power distribution unit 51b is a circuit board similar to the first power distribution unit 51a. The second power distribution unit 51b is fixed to the inside of the second wall portion 43b of the second case 40b in the left-right direction. One end of the second power distribution unit 51b is connected to the cell module 30 housed in the second chamber 44b. The other end of the second power distribution unit 51b is connected to a positive terminal 56b installed in the second case 40b.

[0038] The case 40 is formed by joining the first opening 45a of the first case 40a and the second opening 45b of the second case 40b. The space enclosed by the first wall portion 43a and the first surface 42a of the first case 40a and the second wall portion 43b and the second surface 42b of the second case 40b is the third chamber 45. The third chamber 45 is formed between the first chamber 44a and the second chamber 44b in the left-right direction. The first wall portion 43a divides the first chamber 44a from the third chamber 45, which is the space on the first opening 45a side, in the left-right direction. The second wall portion 43b divides the second chamber 44b from the third chamber 45, which is the space on the second opening 45b side, in the left-right direction. A first power distribution unit 51a and a second power distribution unit 51b are housed inside the third chamber 45.

[0039] As described above, the case 40 has the opening 48 above the upright portion 22. The opening 48 opens upward and is covered by the lid portion 24 of the case 40. The opening 48 communicates with the third chamber 45, and allows the third chamber 45 to be exposed to the outside (above) of the battery 20.

[0040] The battery 20 further includes a bus bar 28, a battery management system (BMS) 25, and a harness unit 70. The bus bar 28 is formed of a metal material or the like. The bus bar 28 is housed in the third chamber 45. One end of the bus bar 28 is connected to the cell module 30 of the first subassembly 20a. The other end of the bus bar 28 is connected to the cell module 30 of the second subassembly 20b. The battery 20 is electrically connected in the following order: negative terminal 56a, first power distribution unit 51a, cell module 30 of the first subassembly 20a, bus bar 28, cell module 30 of the second subassembly 20b, second power distribution unit 51b, and positive terminal 56b.

[0041] The BMS (component) 25 is a circuit that manages the state of the battery 20. The BMS 25 is housed in the opening 48. The BMS 25 has an input unit 26 at the front. The input unit 26 is one side of a connector (socket or plug). A pair of input units 26 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The input unit 26 is connected to a BMS connection unit 76 of the harness unit 70. The BMS connection unit 76 is the other side of the connector (plug or socket). A signal acquired by the sensor 61 is input to the input unit 26.

[0042] The harness unit 70 is housed in the third chamber 45 and the opening 48. The harness unit 70 includes a low-voltage signal terminal 58, a pair of sensor connection portions 73, a pair of BMS connection portions 76, and a wire harness (wiring) 71. The pair of sensor connection portions 73 are connected to the output portions 63 of the sensor units 60 of the first partial assembly 20a and the second partial assembly 20b. The pair of BMS connection portions 76 are connected to the pair of input portions 26 of the BMS 25. The wire harness 71 connects the corresponding sensor connection portions 73 and BMS connection portions 76. As a result, the wire harness 71 connects the corresponding output portions 63 of the sensor units 60 and the input portions 26 of the BMS 25.

[0043] The method of assembling the battery 20 will now be described. As shown in Figure 4, the left and right ends of the battery cells 32 are inserted into the cell holders 34c, 34d. Bus bars 35c, 35d are joined to the inside and outside of the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left and right direction. A sensor unit 60 is attached to the battery cells 32 and the cell holders 34c, 34d. Insulating sheets 36c, 36d are attached to the inside and outside of the cell holders 34c, 34d in the left and right direction. With the above steps, the cell module 30 is completed.

[0044] A heat transfer paste is applied to the outer surfaces of the wall portions of the case body 41 in the left-right direction as shown in Figure 3. The cell module 30 is installed in the case body 41 with the cell module 30 abutting against the wall portions of the case body 41. The above work is performed for the first partial assembly 20a and the second partial assembly 20b. The sensor unit 60 is provided in each of the first case 40a and the second case 40b.

[0045] The following operations are performed for the second sub-assembly 20b. The second power distribution section 51b and the positive terminal 56b are installed in the case body 41. The second power distribution section 51b and the cell module 30 are connected by a bus bar. The second power distribution section 51b and the positive terminal 56b are connected by a bus bar. A gasket is applied to the contact area of ​​the case body 41 with the cover 47. A heat transfer paste is applied to the inner surfaces of the left and right sides of the side walls of the cover 47. With the cell module 30 abutting against the side walls of the cover 47, the cover 47 is joined to the case body 41. A charging terminal 57 (see FIG. 2) is installed and connected to the second power distribution section 51b.

[0046] The following work is performed on the first partial assembly 20a. The first power distribution section 51a and the negative terminal 56a are installed in the case body 41. The first power distribution section 51a and the cell module 30 are connected by a bus bar. The first power distribution section 51a and the negative terminal 56a are connected by a bus bar. A gasket is applied to the contact portion of the case body 41 with the cover 47. A heat transfer paste is applied to the inner surfaces of the left and right sides of the side walls of the cover 47. With the cell module 30 abutting against the side walls of the cover 47, the cover 47 is joined to the case body 41. A harness unit 70 including a low-voltage signal terminal 58 is installed in the first partial assembly 20a and connected to the first power distribution section 51a. The sensor connection portion 73 of the harness unit 70 is connected to the output portion 63 of the sensor unit 60 of the first partial assembly 20a.

[0047] A gasket is applied to the abutting portion between the first case 40a of the first subassembly 20a and the second case 40b of the second subassembly 20b. The first subassembly 20a and the second subassembly 20b are joined. The bus bar 28 is inserted into the third chamber 45 through the opening 48. The bus bar 28 is connected to the cell module 30 of the first subassembly 20a and the cell module 30 of the second subassembly 20b.

[0048] The sensor connection portion 73 of the harness unit 70 installed in the first subassembly 20a is connected to the output portion 63 of the sensor unit 60 in the second subassembly 20b. The BMS 25 is inserted into the opening 48. The pair of BMS connection portions 76 of the harness unit 70 are connected to the pair of input portions 26 of the BMS 25.

[0049] A gasket is applied to the contact portion of the opening 48 with the lid 24. The lid 24 is joined to the opening 48. In this manner, the battery 20 is completed.

[0050] <Structure around the opening> Fig. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the rear of the battery 20. Fig. 6 is a first plan view of the rear of the battery 20. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the rear of the battery 20. Figs. 6 and 7 show a state in which the lid portion 24 has been removed. Fig. 8 is a second plan view of the rear of the battery 20. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the lid portion 24 and the BMS 25 have been removed.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the case body 41 of the second case 40b has the second wall portion 43b described above. The case body 41 has a second top plate 49b above the upright portion 22 (see Figure 2). The second top plate 49b is part of the second surface 42b. Similarly, the case body 41 of the first case 40a has a first top plate 49a that is part of the first surface 42a.

[0052] The opening 48 is surrounded in the front-rear and left-right directions by standing walls 48s. The standing walls 48s rise upward from the second top plate 49b and the first top plate 49a. As shown in FIG. 6, the length of the opening 48 in the front-rear direction is equal to the length of the standing portion 22 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the width of the opening 48 in the left-right direction is equal to the sum of the widths of the case body 41 of the first case 40a and the case body 41 of the second case 40b.

[0053] In the up-down direction, the upper end of the second wall portion 43b is below the second top plate 49b. As a result, the second chamber 44b and the third chamber 45 are connected to each other above the second wall portion 43b. Similarly, the first chamber 44a and the third chamber 45 are connected to each other. In the left-right direction, the inner end of the second top plate 49b is outside the second wall portion 43b. As a result, the second chamber 44b and the opening 48 are connected to each other inside the second top plate 49b in the left-right direction. Similarly, the first chamber 44a and the opening 48 are connected to each other.

[0054] As described above, the output section 63 of the sensor unit 60 is fixed to the upper surface of the inner cell holder 34c. The fixing section 34t of the output section 63 is located on the upper end surface of the inner cell holder 34c arranged on the standing section 22. Therefore, the output section 63 of the second sub-assembly 20b is arranged at the inner and upper corners of the second chamber 44b in the left-right direction. The output section 63 is arranged facing the third chamber 45, which is located on the inner side in the left-right direction.

[0055] The fixing portion 34t is located above the upper end of the second wall portion 43b. As described above, the second chamber 44b and the third chamber 45 are connected to each other above the second wall portion 43b. Therefore, the output portion 63 of the second partial assembly 20b is exposed from the second chamber 44b to the third chamber 45. Similarly, the output portion 63 of the first partial assembly 20a is exposed from the first chamber 44a to the third chamber 45.

[0056] As described above, the second chamber 44b and the opening 48 are connected to each other on the inside in the left-right direction of the second top panel 49b. Also, the third chamber 45 and the opening 48 are connected to each other. Therefore, the output portion 63 of the second partial assembly 20b is exposed from the second chamber 44b to the opening 48. Similarly, the output portion 63 of the first partial assembly 20a is exposed from the first chamber 44a to the opening 48.

[0057] As described above, the first partial assembly 20a and the second partial assembly 20b are joined together. Thereafter, the sensor connection portion 73 of the harness unit 70 installed in the first partial assembly 20a is connected to the output portion 63 of the sensor unit 60 of the second partial assembly 20b. The output portion 63 of the second partial assembly 20b is exposed to the third chamber 45 and can be connected to the sensor connection portion 73 arranged in the third chamber 45. The sensor connection portion 73 arranged in the third chamber 45 is exposed to the opening 48. Therefore, the sensor connection portion 73 and the output portion 63 can be viewed through the opening 48. Furthermore, the sensor connection portion 73 and the output portion 63 can be connected through the opening 48.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 6 , the BMS 25 is disposed inside the opening 48. As shown in Fig. 7 , the input portion 26 is formed in front of the BMS 25. The BMS connection portion 76 of the harness unit 70 is connected to the input portion 26 of the BMS 25. The BMS connection portion 76 and the input portion 26 are disposed inside the opening 48. Therefore, the BMS connection portion 76 and the input portion 26 can be seen through the opening 48. Furthermore, the BMS connection portion 76 and the input portion 26 can be connected through the opening 48.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 5 , the output portion 63 of the sensor unit 60 and the BMS 25 overlap in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8 , the output portion 63 of the sensor unit 60 and the BMS connection portion 76 of the harness unit 70 at least partially overlap in the vertical direction, which is the opening direction of the opening 48. As described above, the BMS connection portion 76 is connected to the input portion 26 of the BMS 25. Therefore, the output portion 63 of the sensor unit 60 and the input portion 26 of the BMS 25 at least partially overlap in the vertical direction. This allows the output portion 63 and the BMS 25 to be compactly arranged in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0060] As described above in detail, the battery 20 of this embodiment has a case 40 that houses the battery cells 32. The case 40 includes a first chamber 44a, a second chamber 44b, a third chamber 45, and an opening 48. The first chamber 44a and the second chamber 44b house the battery cells 32 and are aligned in the left-right direction. The third chamber 45 forms a space between the first chamber 44a and the second chamber 44b. The opening 48 exposes the third chamber 45 to the outside of the battery 20. The battery 20 includes a sensor 61, a sensor wire 62, a BMS 25, and a wire harness 71. The sensor 61 is disposed inside each of the first chamber 44a and the second chamber 44b and acquires information about the battery cells 32. One end of the sensor wire 62 is connected to the sensor 61, and the other end is connected to the output unit 63. The BMS 25 has an input unit 26 that receives the signal acquired by the sensor 61. One end of the wire harness 71 is connected to the output portion 63, and the other end is connected to the input portion 26. The output portion 63 and the input portion 26 are exposed inside the opening 48. According to this configuration, since the output portion 63 and the input portion 26 are exposed inside the opening 48, the workability of connecting the wire harness 71 is improved.

[0061] The battery 20 has a first wall 43a and a second wall 43b. The first wall 43a divides the battery 20 into a first compartment 44a and a third compartment 45 in the left-right direction. The second wall 43b divides the battery 20 into a second compartment 44b and a third compartment 45 in the left-right direction. The output portion 63 is disposed closer to the opening 48 than the upper ends of the first wall 43a and the second wall 43b. This configuration allows the wire harness 71 to be routed closer to the opening 48, improving the ease of connecting the wire harness 71 to the output portion 63.

[0062] The case 40 is composed of adjacent first and second cases 40a and 40b. The first case 40a has a first chamber 44a, a first opening 45a, a first wall 43a, and a first surface 42a. The first opening 45a opens toward the second case 40b. The first wall 43a separates the first chamber 44a from the space adjacent to the first opening 45a. The first surface 42a is oriented in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first and second cases 40a and 40b are adjacent to each other. The second case 40b has a second chamber 44b, a second opening 45b, a second wall 43b, and a second surface 42b. The second opening 45b opens toward the first case 40a. The second wall 43b separates the second chamber 44b from the space adjacent to the second opening 45b. The second surface 42b is oriented in the intersecting direction. With the first opening 45a and the second opening 45b joined, the third chamber 45 is formed by the first wall portion 43a, the second wall portion 43b, the first surface 42a, and the second surface 42b. The sensor wire 62 and the output unit 63 are provided in the first case 40a and the second case 40b, respectively. With this configuration, the case 40, the battery cell 32, the sensor wire 62, and the output unit 63 can be assembled in a state where the first case 40a side and the second case 40b side are separated, improving the workability of connecting the sensor wire 62 and the wire harness 71.

[0063] The battery 20 has an inner cell holder 34c that covers the periphery of the battery cell 32. The output unit 63 is fixed to a fixing portion 34t on the end face of the inner cell holder 34c on the opening 48 side. With this configuration, no separate part is required to fix the output unit 63, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0064] The output unit 63 and the BMS 25 overlap in the opening direction of the opening 48. According to this configuration, the output unit 63 and the BMS 25 can be arranged compactly in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations of the embodiments may be applied not only to scooter-type motorcycles but also to various saddle-ride vehicles. Saddle-ride vehicles include all vehicles on which a rider straddles the body, and include not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles and scooter-type vehicles), but also three-wheeled vehicles (including vehicles with one front wheel and two rear wheels, as well as vehicles with two front wheels and one rear wheel) or four-wheeled vehicles (such as four-wheeled buggies).

[0066] The configuration of the above embodiment is one example of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with well-known components. For example, in the above embodiment, the negative terminal 56a and the positive terminal 56b are disposed in front of the upright portion 22 of the battery 20. However, the negative terminal 56a and the positive terminal 56b may be disposed behind the upright portion 22 of the battery 20.

[0067] 20 Battery 25 BMS (component) 26 Input section 32 Battery cell 34c Inner cell holder (cell holder) 34t Fixing section 40 Case 40a First case 40b Second case 42a First surface 42b Second surface 43a First wall section 43b Second wall section 44a First compartment 44b Second compartment 45 Third compartment 45a First opening 45b Second opening 48 Opening 61 Sensor 62 Sensor wire 63 Output section 71 Wiring (wire harness)

Claims

1. A battery (20) having a case (40) that houses a battery cell (32), the case (40) comprising: a first chamber (44a) and a second chamber (44b) that are aligned in a first direction and that house the battery cell (32); a third chamber (45) that forms a space between the first chamber (44a) and the second chamber (44b); and an opening (48) that exposes the third chamber (45) to the outside of the battery (20); sensors (61) that are arranged inside each of the first chamber (44a) and the second chamber (44b) and acquire information about the battery cell (32); a sensor wire (62) that has one end connected to the sensor (61) and the other end connected to an output unit (63); and a component (25) having an input unit (26) that inputs a signal acquired by the sensor (61). a wiring (71) having one end connected to the output portion (63) and the other end connected to the input portion (26), wherein the output portion (63) and the input portion (26) are exposed inside the opening (48).

2. A battery (20) as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it has a first wall portion (43a) that separates the first chamber (44a) and the third chamber (45) in the first direction, and a second wall portion (43b) that separates the second chamber (44b) and the third chamber (45) in the first direction, and the output portion (63) is positioned closer to the opening (48) than the upper ends of the first wall portion (43a) and the second wall portion (43b).

3. A battery (20) according to claim 2, wherein the case (40) comprises a first case (40a) and a second case (40b) adjacent to each other, the first case (40a) having: the first chamber (44a), a first opening (45a) opening to the second case (40b) side, the first wall portion (43a) separating the first chamber (44a) from the space on the side of the first opening (45a), and a first surface (42a) oriented in a cross direction intersecting the direction in which the first case (40a) and the second case (40b) are adjacent to each other, and the second case (40b) having: the second chamber (44b), a second opening (45b) opening to the first case (40a) side, and the second wall portion (43b) separating the second chamber (44b) from the space on the side of the second opening (45b), a second surface (42b) oriented in the intersecting direction; when the first opening (45a) and the second opening (45b) are joined, the third chamber (45) is formed by being partitioned by the first wall portion (43a), the second wall portion (43b), the first surface (42a), and the second surface (42b); and the sensor wire (62) and the output portion (63) are provided in the first case (40a) and the second case (40b), respectively.

4. A battery (20) as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it has a cell holder (34c) that covers the periphery of the battery cell (32), and the output part (63) is fixed to a fixing part (34t) on the end face of the cell holder (34c) on the opening (48) side.

5. A battery (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the output portion (63) and the component (25) overlap in the opening direction of the opening (48).

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